Page 34 of Creed (Satan’s Fury MC- Little Rock #6)

CREED

T here is nothing quite like sleeping in a hospital chair, especially when you’re six-four and there’s nowhere to put your long-ass legs.

It was like Chinese torture, but I didn’t fucking care.

There was no way in hell I was leaving Devin.

So, I white-knuckled it, and after a few long hours, I was finally able to drift off.

The next morning, the doctor came in early, and after a thorough examination, he decided to discharge Devin. He and the nurse stepped out to grab the paperwork, and the door hadn’t had a chance to close before Preacher and Grim walked in.

“Morning.”

“Morning.” I stood as I said, “I was just about to call.”

“Beat you to it.” Preacher gave me that look that let me know he didn’t want to be here any more than I did, but he came anyway. That was the thing about him. He was always there when you needed him. “How you two making it?”

“Hanging in.”

Devin gave him a smile as she announced, “I’m ready to get out of here.”

“Bet you are,” Preacher chuckled. “How long before they cut you loose?”

“Discharging me now.” It had been a long night. She’d been a little dizzy, and her head hurt like hell, but by early this morning, she started to come around. And we were both relieved that the doctor was pleased with her progress. “Just waiting on the paperwork.”

“Good deal.” Preacher turned his attention back to me and motioned his head toward the door. “Need a minute.”

I nodded, then told Devin, “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time.”

I followed Preach and Grim out of the room and waited until the door closed behind us before saying, “Tell me.”

“They have him in custody.”

“Have they booked him?”

“No, but it’s coming.” Preacher’s lips curled into the barest hint of a smile. “Dude is done.”

“You sure?”

“Oh, yeah,” he scoffed. “Turns out he was already being investigated by Internal Affairs. They’d been watching him for a while. Just had bits and pieces, but nothing solid. You know how it goes; cops protect their own.”

I nodded, jaw tight, waiting for him to get to the part I needed to hear.

“Between the shit Shep dug up and what Devin managed to get out of him, they’ll get him for obstruction, falsifying reports, and attempted man slaughter.”

“There’s no getting out of this,” Grim interjected. “He’s cooked.”

I rubbed a hand over my day-old beard, letting it sink in that it was over. Devin and the club were safe. But we weren’t completely out of the water just yet. “He said something last night that’s gotten under my skin.”

“Yeah? What was it?”

“He said we could try and play hero all we wanted, but we were connected, too. We just didn’t know it yet.”

“Connected to who?”

“It’s gotta be the trafficking shit, but I got no idea how he thinks we’re involved in any of that mess.”

“He was probably just yanking your chain.”

“Maybe, but what if he wasn’t?”

Grim shook his head. “I wish I’d had a round with him. Then, we’d know exactly what that fucker was talking about.”

“We’ll get him talking,” Preacher replied, sounding rather sure of himself. “Just gotta wait until they lock him up. We have folks on the inside who will help us find out exactly what he was referring to.”

“Looking forward to that,” Grim chuckled.

“You and me both.”

“We’ll get it sorted. For now, you need to put it aside,”” Preacher’s expression softened, just a fraction. “And now you can focus on you and yours. It’s time.”

“He’s right. Go check on your girl.” Grim stepped forward, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “You let us know if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

“I’ll touch base later,” Preacher added.

I nodded, then watched as my brothers turned to leave.

Eager to check on her progress, I stepped back into the room and found Devin talking to one of the nurses.

She was listening to all her instructions, but when the nurse finally gave her those papers, she snatched them like she was about to take off running.

Her hair was a mess and her eyes tired, but that damn smile she gave me nearly leveled me. “You ready to blow this joint?”

“More than ready.”

I walked over, leaned down, and kissed her softly. She kissed me back. It felt damn good to have her close, but the second I slipped my arm around her to help her stand, she winced, sucking in a sharp breath.

I pulled back immediately and muttered, “Shit, sorry.”

“Yeah.” The nurse grimaced. “She’s going to be a little sore for the next couple of days, so you two lovebirds will need to take it easy.”

“You hear that?” I cocked my brow and pointed towards the nurse. “She said take it easy .”

“Oh, how easy are we talking?”

“Pretty easy. You had a pretty severe concussion, and you have some nasty bruises. It’s going to take some time to get back on your feet.”

“How will we know when she’s all good?”

“When she can take a deep breath without wincing and when she can lean down and come right back up without falling over, I’d say she’s good.”

“Shit.”

The nurse handed me the last of the paperwork, explaining the meds and follow-up. When she was done, she pulled the wheelchair over, and Devin immediately shot her a look. “I’m fine. I don’t need that.”

“Sorry. It’s protocol.” The nurse feigned a smile. “But I’ll do my best to get you there quick.”

Devin nodded, then stepped over and settled in the chair.

I didn’t miss the way she winced when she shifted or the way she let out a long breath when the nurse started to wheel her out of the room.

She wasn’t a hundred percent yet, and like it or not, she was going to need to take it slow for a few days.

We made it to the truck, and I helped her out of the chair and into the passenger seat. Once she was buckled in, Devin smiled at the nurse and said, “Thank you.”

I closed the door, then rounded the truck and climbed in behind the wheel. I started the engine, and seconds later, we were on the way to her place. We hadn’t gotten far when she glanced over at me and asked, “Should we call Mom and let her know it’s okay to bring the kids home?”

“Already taken care of.”

“When did you do that?”

“I can’t divulge all my secrets.”

“Hmm.

When we pulled up to her place, Devin’s mom’s car was in the driveway, and the lights were on, letting me know that they were waiting for us inside.

I thought I’d have a minute to get her inside and settled, but the second I parked, Chrissy was out the front door and racing towards us.

Devin opened her door and was about to get out when I said, “Hold up. Let me help.”

“I’ll help her,” Chrissy assured me.

Chrissy held out her hand and helped her mother out of the car, and with me following close behind, she led her up the steps.

We took her over to the sofa, and Austin brought over her favorite tumbler filled with Coke Zero and a bag of Rollo’s.

A warm smile crossed her face as she said, “Thanks, guys. But you don’t have to fuss over me. I’m fine.”

“Have you heard from Dad?”

“No, honey. I haven’t.”

He looked over to me, and I shook my head. “You think he’ll get in trouble for what he did?”

“There’s a good chance, but it will be a little while before we hear anything.”

“Never thought I’d be one of those kids who’s got a dad in jail.” He lowered his head. “I’ll have to put it on the get-to-know-me sheet when we get back to school.”

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”

“Won’t matter. Everybody will know it anyway.” I could hear the regret in his voice when he muttered, “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry about it all.”

“Honey, you have nothing to apologize for.”

“I was mean to you for a long time.”

“You were hurt. We all were.”

“I’m gonna do better.”

“You’re fine, sweetheart.” She reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

He nodded, but I could tell that he wasn’t so sure. After a minute, he let out a breath and said, “Does that mean I can go play my video game?”

“You definitely can.” Devin looked over to Chrissy and said, “And you can go hang out in your room. I’ll call if I need anything.”

In a blink, they’d given their hugs and were out the door, rushing back to their rooms. Devin’s mother came up behind me and placed her hand on my shoulder. “I wanted to thank you for looking after her and the kids. You really came through for us last night.”

“Don’t have to thank me. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“I had my doubts about you. I’m sure you know that, and I’m sure you know why.” Her expression softened. “But my daughter loves you, and because of that, the kids will soon love you, too. And the same goes for me and her father. I just ask that you keep doing right by her.”

“I plan on it.” I gave her a wink. “I have a lot of wasted time to make up for, and I’m gonna make up for every second.”

“She’s going to need some rest.”

“I’ll make sure she gets it.”

“I’ll make some dinner or at least, go get you some groceries.”

“Thanks, but I’ve got it covered.”

She hesitated for a moment, then reached over and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tight. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do,” I answered, hugging her back.

“I guess I’ll head back to the house.” She walked over to Devin and kissed her on top of the head. “If you need anything at all just call, and I’ll swing by tomorrow and check on you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She lingered for a moment longer, then gathered her things and slipped out the door. Devin stared at the door for a second before looking over to me with a smile. “Do you have any idea how hard that was for her?”

“What?”

“Leaving?” She giggled. “She just left you in charge of her most prized possessions, and that just doesn’t happen.”

“It’s my boyish good looks.”

“That and the fact that she trusts you, and that doesn’t come easy for her.”

“Doesn’t come easy for her daughter, either.”

“No, it doesn’t. But once it’s given, it changes everything. You don’t just get lots of hugs and kisses.” A mischievous smirk crossed her face as she reached out her hand and offered me the remote to the TV. “You get to pick the movie.”

“I don’t know. That’s a lot of pressure.”

“I think you can handle it.”

It seemed funny how the world could feel like it was falling apart, but one afternoon with Devin made it feel like none of it mattered.

She was tucked under my arm, warm and safe, drifting in and out of sleep while we watched some old rom com on TV.

She took her meds and a hot bath while I made dinner for her and the kids.

While I was at it, I checked in with Preacher and Shep to see if there was any news about Maddox or the investigation at the Vault.

But they didn’t tell me shit. They told me to focus on her, so that’s what I did.

Because as much as I loved the club, this was where I wanted to be.

Right here, with her, making sure she and the kids were okay.

After dinner, the kids went back to their rooms, and Devin and I settled back on the sofa.

We’d finished another movie when the news came on.

I wasn’t really paying attention. I hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before and was doing my best to just keep my eyes open until I heard Devin gasp, “Jameson. Look!”

I looked up at the TV, and my jaw tightened when I saw the reporter who’d done the bullshit story on the investigation at the Vault.

She was standing outside the courthouse wearing a white business suit and a fake smile.

“Breaking news tonight as former Little Rock Police Detective Brian Maddox has been arrested for suspicion of domestic assault, obstruction of justice, and potential connections to a local human trafficking ring.”

Devin’s face grew pale as she muttered, “Oh, God. It’s really happening.”

I sat up straighter, and my pulse quickened as I listened to her detailing how Maddox had been taken in late last night and how the investigation had been ongoing for months. But evidence presented by an anonymous source had given officers enough to warrant his arrest.

Devin’s eyes shifted to me, and I reached over, taking her hand in mine. “It’s over.”

She nodded, but we both knew it was far from over.

There would be an epic fallout that would touch us all, especially the kids.

But he wasn’t untouchable anymore. He would pay for helping those assholes take those girls, and he would pay for hurting Devin.

The rest would work itself out, and I would be there to make sure it did.

The screen cut to a mugshot of Maddox, and I couldn’t help the cold satisfaction that pulsed through me when I saw his busted lip, his black eyes, and the bruise forming along his jaw. Devin noticed them, too.

When she looked over at me and saw my expression, her mouth dropped. “He looks pretty roughed up.”

“He does.”

“Did you have something to do with that?”

“Maybe.”

“You didn’t tell me about that.” She cocked her brow. “Come to think of it, you didn’t tell me anything about all that.”

“Nothing to tell.”

“His face says otherwise.”

“He ran over you with his truck. He took Chrissy and was trying to take Austin. He’s lucky I didn’t put a fucking bullet in his head.”

“He’s going to have a rough go of it in jail. They don’t care for cops, especially dirty ones.”

“You’re right about that, but something tells me he’ll be fine.”

“The kids are going to have a hard time with this. They love him and for a long time idolized him. I don’t know how they will handle him being in jail.”

“I know I’m supposed to say something supportive here, like they’ll get through it and all that, but life is full of lessons and some of them are really hard.

Important thing is to have someone behind you to help you get through it.

They have that. They’ll get through this and anything else that comes their way. ”

“You’re pretty great. You know that?”

“I try.”

“Can I keep you?”

“Baby, you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”